Diabetes decisions — 2002

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that the earliest date of entitlement was May 14, 1996.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His diabetes mellitus is currently rated as noncompensable, his psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not found to be related to service or secondary to diabetes, and he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD.

The VA denied compensation benefits for myasthenia gravis and diabetes mellitus resulting from May 1994 medical treatment, finding that the failure to diagnose MG was not improper and that DM developed independently of the treatment.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes as secondary to his service-connected hypertension with cardiomegaly, finding that there is no medical evidence supporting this claim.

The veteran's coronary artery bypass surgery did not result in additional disabilities such as heart disability, hernia, or diabetes mellitus. The surgeries and subsequent infections were necessary consequences of the treatment.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him helpless or so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor does he have a permanent housebound condition due to disability.

The Board found that the veteran's arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not caused or worsened by his service-connected familial Mediterranean fever.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, dizziness, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by active military service. The appeals for these issues have been denied.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his service-connected disabilities to his fatal conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, requiring insulin three times a day and a restricted diet with episodes of ketoacidosis requiring one or two hospitalizations per year, did not meet the criteria for a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 7913. Therefore, the initial rating of 60 percent was denied.

The veteran's appeals for special monthly compensation, individual unemployability, Dependent's Educational Assistance, increased evaluations for coronary artery disease and generalized anxiety disorder with some depression, and service-connection for diabetes mellitus and bilateral cataracts have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes, concluding that the condition did not begin during or as a result of active service.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, finding that there was no evidence of a prior informal claim or incapacitation preventing him from filing his initial claim.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for diabetes mellitus, and separate evaluations of 10 percent each for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity. Separate evaluations of 10 percent each have been granted for diabetic retinopathy of the right eye and left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of diabetes mellitus, assigning May 10, 1993 as the effective date. The veteran did not submit a claim before this date.

The January 1991 VA surgical procedures which resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities due to peripheral neuropathy are not causally related to the veteran's death in October 1995 due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and tobacco abuse as conditions contributing to death.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for additional death pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound due to her disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of needing the regular aid and attendance of another individual, finding that he is unable to protect himself from daily hazards due to severe mental incapacity. The housebound rate appeal was dismissed as moot since a greater benefit had already been granted.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and a low back disorder, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year after separation. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.